Beijing 2008 Names RFID Ticket Supplier
ASK-TongFang, a joint venture between France’s ASK SA and Tsinghua
TongFang, has been selected to manufacture the contactless inlays for
the 12.2 million radio-frequency identification (RFID) tickets for the
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. (If you are interested in the global
controversy regarding RFID ‘spychip’ technology, check out
www.spychips.com.) ASK-TongFang will provide the whole RFID system to
the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Organising Committee, including the RFID
inlays, gate readers, software and service. The tickets include
anti-counterfeiting printed security features.
Inflation Fails to Dampen Consumer Spending
China’s inflation battle, focused largely on food prices, has not
dampened consumer spending, according to new figures. Retail sales in
mainland China grew 18.1 per cent year on year in October – a record
monthly rate – said the National Bureau of Statistics. Spending in
urban areas accelerated 18.6 per cent, to RMB559.8 bn, with sales in
rural areas expanding by 17.1 per cent, to RMB266.5 bn.
China Coal Export Revenues Rise
Despite a domestic shortage of certain energy fuels, notably diesel,
China’s exports of coal continue to rise. It shipped 5.25 million
tonnes of coal in October, an increase of 18.8 per cent year on year.
Analysts say the export growth is largely attributable to price rises
on international markets. For example, coal used for power projects
supplied by Australian enterprises sells for around USD70-USD80 per
tonne, whereas China's average price is around USD67.
Federer and Ferrer Ease into Shanghai Masters Final
Easy wins saw Roger Federer and David Ferrer gain their places in the
season-ending ATP Tennis Masters Final in Shanghai. Ferrer defeated an
out-of-sorts Andy Roddick, 6-1, 6-3. It was the impressive Spaniards
fourth consecutive victory in the tournament. In Sunday's final he will
meet defending champion and world number one Roger Federer who
demolished the world's second-best player Rafael Nadal, 6-4, 6-1, in
just 59 minutes.
Sina Posts Impressive Online Profits
China's online advertising industry is in robust health if online news
provider Sina's third-quarter profits, which rose 60 per cent on the
back of high advertising revenues, are a good barometer. Quarterly
profits rose to USD17.2m, and the company expects revenues to range
between USD68-70m in the final quarter. Sina's rapidly increasing
advertising sales revenues, up 40 per cent in the third quarter year on
year, have seen the company's share price more than double in the last
year.
Three Chinese Universities Make World's Top 100
China had three entries in the top 100 of the World's University
ranking, compiled by the Times Higher Education Supplement in London.
Peking University was China's highest ranked institution, at 36,
followed by Tsinghua (40). Shanghai's Fudan moved into the top 100 for
the first time, at number 85. Harvard took the number one global spot,
with three universities tied in second place, Oxford, Cambridge and
Yale.
Chinese Diabetes Numbers Top 40 Million
China now has 40 million people suffering from diabetes or
diabetes-related illnesses. The figure is largely blamed on growing
urban affluence, which has led to unhealthier diets, less exercise and
obesity. The Health Ministry said that 12 per cent of children in large
mainland cities are officially obese, though some analysts estimate the
figure could be higher.
Last update : Sunday, 18 November 2007
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